Module 6 Flashcards
Compare the two models of the Benzene ring
Kekulé’s structure - the six carbon’s in the ring each have one single bond, and one double bond with another carbon atom. Delocalised structure - The overlapping p orbitals causing a pi ring system of delocalised above and below the plain of the bonded carbon atoms.
Explain why Kekulé’s structure is no longer regarded as the correct structure for Benzene
Bond lengths - Kekulé’s structure would imply that the single and double bonds between the carbons would be different lengths, but they are all the same length throughout the ring, by being measured using X-rays. Bond enthalpy - If Kekulé’s structure was correct, then the enthalpy change to make benzene to into cyclohexane is would be much lower than it is, suggesting that benzene is more stable than what Kekulé’s structure would suggest. Reactivity - Kekulé’s structure would suggest that it would ready react with halogens, and therefore decolourise bromine water; however, it will only react with halogens with a halogen carrier, suggesting that it doesn’t have any double bonds.
Describe the reaction and conditions required for nitric acid to react with benzene.
Conditions: Concentrated Nitric acid and a Concentrated sulfuric acid catalyst. Nitration is an electrophilic substitution, with NO_2^+ being the electrophile.
Describe the reaction and conditions required for a halogen to react with benzene.
Conditions: A halogen present with a halogen carrier. Halogenation is a electrophilic substitution, with X^+ being the electrophile.
Describe a way of adding more carbon chains to a benzene ring.
Conditions: A haloalkane or acyl chloride in the presence of a halogen carrier. The halogen from the haloalkane/acyl chloride is polarised by the halogen carrier and breaks of, leaving a negative halogen which removes a hydrogen, and the carbon chain then attaches to the benzene ring.
Explain the relative resistance of bromination of benzene to alkenes.
The electron density of the delocalised pi ring in benzene is less than that in a pi bond in an alkene, so is unable to polarise a bromine molecule, unlike alkenes.
Explain how phenols can be shown to be slightly acidic.
Phenols can partially dissociate in water, releasing a proton, allowing it to react with a strong base; however, it is not strong enough to react with a weak base such as a carbonate.
Describe the reaction and conditions required for bromine to react with a phenol
Conditions: No halogen carrier required. Bromination is an electrophilic substitution reaction. Bromine reacts with 2/4 directing and can easily brominate a phenol three times forming 2,4,6 - tribromophenol.
Describe the reaction and conditions required for nitric acid to react with a phenol.
Conditions: Neither a catalyst nor concentrate nitric acid is required. Dilute nitric acid is sufficient. Nitration is an electrophilic substitution reaction. The nitric reacts with 2/4 directing. As NO_2^+ is an electron-withdrawing group, no further reaction after being nitrated once often takes place.
Explain why phenols act more readily with electrophiles than benzene.
The p-orbital in the oxygen in the phenol donates its loan pair of electrons to the pi ring, giving it a greater electron density, so is able to polarise molecules and attract them more readily than benzene can.
Explain the effect of electron donating groups being attached to a benzene ring and give a few examples.
An electron donating group is 2- and 4- directing and ‘activates’ the ring, by making it more electron dense. E.g. -OH, NH_2.
Explain the effect of electron withdrawing groups being attached to a benzene ring and give a few examples.
An electron withdrawing group is 3- directing and ‘deactivates’ the ring, by making it less electron dense. E.g. -NO_2
Explain the effect of a halogen being attached to a benzene ring.
A halogen is 2- and 4- directing, but does not ‘activate’ the ring like electron donating groups, as it keeps still keeps its own electron density.
Describe the reaction and conditions for the oxidation of an aldehyde.
Conditions: Oxidising agent K_2Cr_2O_7 with a di/triprotic acid under reflux. RCOH + [O] —> RCOOH.
Describe the reaction and conditions for the reduction of carbonyl compounds.
Conditions: Reducing agent Warmed NaBH_4(aq). Nucleophilic substation RCOH + 2[H] —> RCH_2OH
Describe the reaction and conditions for the reaction of hydrogen cyanide with carbonyl compounds.
Conditions: HCN made by NaCN with H_2SO_4. Nucleophilic substitution RCOH + HCN —> RCHOHCN (a hydroxynitrile)
Describe the test for a carbonyl group and how this can determine which carbonyl group is present.
Add a few drops of an unknown compound to 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, and if an orange precipitate is formed, a carbonyl group is present. Filter out the precipitate and compare the melting point of the 2,4-DNP derivative to a data table to determine which carbonyl compound was present.
Describe the test to distinguish between an aldehyde and a ketone and give the equation.
An equal amount of the carbonyl and Tollen’s reagent is added to a test tube and left in a 50 degree water bath for around fifteen minutes. If a ‘silver mirror’ is seen, the silver ions in the reagent have been reduced as the aldehyde as been reduced. Ag^+(aq) + e^- —> Ag(s) RCOH + [O] —> RCOOH
Draw the mechanism of the nitration of benzene.
See drawing below. The use of the catalyst must be shown
Draw the mechanism for the halogenation of benzene
See the below mechanism. The use of the catalyst must be shown.
Draw the mechanism of the reduction of a ketone to form an alcohol
Nucleophilic addition reaction, with the nucleophile being an H^- from NaBH_4, with subsiquent protonation from water of the organic intermediate.
Explain the water solubility of carboxylic acids
The -OH part of the carboxyl group can form hydrogen bonds with that water, making it form strong intermolecular forces with water molecules, allowing it to dissolve.
Describe how a carboxylic acid can take part in a redox reaction with a metal
RCOOH(aq) + M(S) → (RCOO-)nMn+(aq) + H2
Describe the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a metal oxide
2RCOOH(aq) + MO(s) → (RCOO-)2M2+(aq) + H2O(l)
Describe the reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alkali
NRCOOH(aq) + M(OH)n → (RCOOH-)nMn+(aq)+ H2O(l)
Describe the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a carbonate
2RCOOH(aq) + MCO3 → (RCOO-)2M2+(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Describe the test for a carboxyl functional group
As carboxylic acids are the only organic compound acidic enough to react with a carbonate, if a reaction happens with a carbonate and an unknown organic compound, the unknown organic compound must contain a carboxyl functional group.
Describe the esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols
Acid + Alcohol ⇔ Ester + Water
Acid catalyst of of a concentrated polyprotic acid, e.g. sulfuric acid, is required.
Describe the esterification of an acid anhydrides with alcohols
Acid anhydride + Alcohol/Phenol → Ester + Acid
Describe the hydrolysis of esters in hot aqueous acid
Ester + (water) ⇔ Acid + Alcohol
The water is from the aqueous acid, e.g. hot aqueous dilute sulfuric acid